Epidemiologist 2

Competition # : 49623

Department: Health and Wellness

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Term

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 02-Sep-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Department of Health and Wellness offers opportunities to grow and advance in a dynamic sector that touches the lives of all Nova Scotians. Along with our partners, including the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK Health Centre, we are committed to continually improving our health care system. With a focus on continual improvements within the Health System, the department is thinking differently about how to plan, fund, legislate and monitor to improve access and service delivery. To do this, we need leaders at all levels of the organization who embrace a challenge and believe in their ability to make a difference.

About Our Opportunity

This 18-month term Epidemiologist 2 position provides a unique opportunity to advance public health work at the intersection of environmental health, climate change, extreme heat, and the health care system.

You will provide epidemiological support for the planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of climate change and environmental health surveillance projects. You will work as part of multidisciplinary teams and collaborate with local, provincial, and system partners to assess climate-related health risks and support evidence-informed public health action.

Primary Accountabilities

Reporting to the Director, Public Health Surveillance, you will support policy and decision making within the Department of Health and Wellness and contribute to planning and management across Nova Scotia’s health system through:

• Collecting, managing, analyzing, and interpreting epidemiological data;
• Identifying and assessing appropriate data sources to support departmental and health system needs related to environmental health and climate change;
• Conducting literature reviews and leading statistical analyses;
• Producing clear epidemiology reports and surveillance products for departmental, health system, partner, and public audiences;
• Monitoring regional, provincial, national, and international trends in environmental and climate-related health risks; and
• Synthesizing evidence to support the development and implementation of evidence-informed policies, standards, and practices.

Qualifications and Experience

As the successful candidate, you have a bachelor’s degree in a health profession, science, or social science and five years of related experience; or a master’s degree in epidemiology and three years of related experience.

You have content expertise in public health surveillance and strong skills across the full surveillance cycle, from data acquisition and analysis to knowledge translation, dissemination, and communication. Demonstrated expertise is required in surveillance methodologies, advanced analytical techniques, and the clear communication of findings to varied audiences.

You bring leadership, sound judgment, and innovation to your work, along with excellent communication skills, strong partnership and collaboration abilities, and experience contributing effectively within teams.

Experience in climate-related or environmental health surveillance is considered an asset.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

This position is based in a regular office environment and includes ongoing collaboration with colleagues in the Public Health Branch at the Department of Health and Wellness, across government, with Nova Scotia Health, and with other departments, agencies, and partners.

Additional Information

This is a term position (approx 18 months) based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Note that the position status (term/temporary) is dependent on the start date of the candidate and the overall duration of position, in alignment with the timelines outlined in the collective agreement.

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths

Pay Grade: PREP 17

Salary Range: $3,596.04 - $4,223.52 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement: Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

Accommodation Statement: We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at competitions@novascotia.ca.

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.